Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Review: Sothys Paris Perfect Shape Youth Serum

I learned at a young age the importance of investing in good skincare. My mom has always taken great care of her skin and has been using quality products since she was a teenager. I followed in her footsteps and have done the same since high school. I approach skincare with the philosophy that the more I care for my skin, the less makeup I will need to wear. My mom didn’t start wearing foundation until she felt that she needed it—in her 50s! I still don’t think she needs it. My long-term goal is to keep my skin in the best condition possible so that I can continue viewing makeup a fun accessory for special events or days when I have some extra time to play with it, not something that I need wear to feel youthful or confident.

Because of my passion for skincare, I love trying out innovative products from companies that devote time and effort to craft the most effective formulations. One of these companies is Sothys Paris, an avant-garde beauty expert that produces products sold exclusively in beauty institutes and spas. This highly specialized brand has an extraordinary commitment to research and innovation, which is shown through its innovative line of luxurious skin and body care.

Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of reviewing the Sothys Baroque Makeup Collection (click HERE to read my review), and today I will be sharing my thoughts on the Perfect Shape Youth Serum*. This serum has an enveloping texture that reshapes, redefines, and protects the facial contours, while smoothing the décolleté.

The active ingredients in this product include manioc sugar for a lifting effect, bigarade flower extract to unclog fat tissue, marine oligosaccharides to stop fat storage and the breakdown of lipids, and peptides to boost collagen synthesis, improve dermal structor, lift the face, and restore texture and tone. This formula is meant to provide a lifting and refining effect after one month of use, as well as a smoothing effect on the décolleté after two months.

The target group for this serum is those who are 25 and older. I am now in my early 30s and have a few problem areas to keep an eye on. First, I have some fine lines on my forehead. These are probably the deepest lines on my face. Next is a vertical line that runs down the right side of my nose. It appears often during the winter months from wrinkling my nose when it gets dry and itchy from the furnace. Along with this line are some horizontal lines between my eyebrows that are also from wrinkling my nose. I have some fine lines around my eye area that are really only visible when I wear concealer for special events, and I have noticed that the lines around my mouth from smiling have gotten more pronounced over the last 5 years. As for my neck, there are some natural lines that have been there since I was in my teens. My décolleté is smooth.

When testing out this product, I did not use it on my forehead or eye area as the directions on the box say to apply morning and evening from the cheeks to the décolleté; however, I have been using it on the area between my eyebrows too since I find those little lines very bothersome. Unlike other gel or oil serums that I have tried in the past, this one has a cream formula that melts into the skin quickly upon application without leaving a sticky or greasy film. The photos below demonstrate its light yet creamy texture.

I have been applying this serum morning and night before applying my regular moisturizers and have now been using it for just over two months. Upon my first application, I noticed an almost instant blurring effect, especially on the lines between my eyebrows and the line on my nose. There is no tint or shimmer to this product, so there is no actual makeup involved in providing this effect. It also has a very light fruity floral scent that dissipates after a minute or so on the skin. I don’t like strong scents and have no problems with this one.

Within two weeks of use, I started seeing small improvements in the smile lines around my mouth. I also noticed that the eczema on my neck was completely under control which is very rare during the winter months and quite surprising since new products often irritate my sensitive skin rather than calm it. I have to credit this serum for this improvement because the eczema disappeared within two days of adding the serum to my skincare routine and it has still not returned. After two months of using the product, I continue to see improvements in the depth of the lines on my face and my skin has an overall smooth, tight appearance. I’m especially happy with the almost complete disappearance of the lines between my eyebrows and the line on my nose. Usually it takes months for them to fade away after winter when I stop wrinkling my nose, but the serum really sped up the process. Aside from the absence of eczema, the skin on my neck looks smoother and more even than it used to, but the deeper lines look the same as they always did. However, since I have had them for many years, I don’t think that they are age lines which would explain why this product has not changed them. I did not have any signs of aging on my décolleté before using this product, and the skin there still looks smooth.

Overall, I can say that after only two months of using the Perfect Shape Youth Serum, I have noticed visible improvements in my skin. It’s smoother, firmer, free of some fine lines, and less irritated. I also really love that this product has a pump applicator. I try to stay away from skincare products in jars since I worry about them harbouring bacteria. The sleek chrome base of this bottle and the clear lid make it feel very luxurious and expensive. At C$129.50 this serum is definitely a splurge but more affordable and much less invasive than some anti-aging cosmetic procedures. I consider it an effective product for reversing signs of aging and giving the skin a youthful appearance.